Portable Downrigger - - Any Recommendations?

[T-Bone]

I have a nephew on my list this year that would like a "portable downrigger" for Christmas. This would be used primarily for fishing suspended lakers and would likely be attached to a 16-foot Naden camp boat. 

Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks. 

[BillM]

Scotty 1071 with the portable clamp mount?  

[Nemo]

Scotty Laketroller Clamp Mount

Used them for canoe laker fishing in 30-50' of water in Algonquin Park for years....

 

[misfish]

Yup. Mounting one on my toon next year. Small and light. Cant wait to try it. Going to be a blast.

[Tomcat]

I was completely satisfied with my Scotty 1050 Depthmaster portable downrigger for years.

[Sinker]

I have a scotty, and a big john short arm that both work great. I tend to prefer the scotty for ease of deploying the ball, but the big johns are nicer to look at. They both work flawless though. 

 

S. 

[Terry]

I have the Scotty with the clamp

no counter and 4 or 5 lb max ball 

100 ft of cable 

[grimsbylander]

I think you can safely get him a Scotty 

[T-Bone]

Thanks for the references guys; checked out the Scotty and the only thing I believe may be an issue is that it does NOT have a counter on it. There is another portable called a Cannon that has a built-in counter. I'm not a downrigger/troller, so how important is it to have that counter? Would seem to be pretty important to me...but I'm just guessing. 

Thanks again... 

[Terry]

the next bigger scotty has a counter but i can see the ball on my fishfinder so i know how deep the ball is

[misfish]

Between the set up of your graph and the counter on the reel you will need to buy as a gift as well, will work.

Edited November 30, 2018 by misfish

[Tomcat]

26 minutes ago, T-Bone said:

Thanks for the references guys; checked out the Scotty and the only thing I believe may be an issue is that it does NOT have a counter on it. There is another portable called a Cannon that has a built-in counter. I'm not a downrigger/troller, so how important is it to have that counter? Would seem to be pretty important to me...but I'm just guessing. 

Thanks again... 

The Scotty 1050 Depthmaster has a counter - see http://scotty.com/product/no-1050-depthmaster-23/

[Sinker]

The scotty 1050 is what I have, with the portable clamp on mount. It has a counter and works great.  I run 10lb cannonballs off it no problem. 

 

S. 

[misfish]

9 minutes ago, Sinker said:

The scotty 1050 is what I have, with the portable clamp on mount. It has a counter and works great.  I run 10lb cannonballs off it no problem. 

 

S. 

I'm not rowing and pulling a 10lb ball Shane. LOL

My transducer holder can be locked in position with just a turn of the screw. No matter where the ball is,I will be able to lock down on it.

[Headhunter]

https://www.offshoretackle.com/OR20.html

Poor man's downrigger...

HH

Edited November 30, 2018 by Headhunter

[BillM]

Even better, a 3way rig with a 3-5oz lead attached.   Doesn't get much easier and very effective for lakers.

[Headhunter]

Bill, the plastic clips look better in the water.

HH

[porkpie]

7 hours ago, T-Bone said:

Thanks for the references guys; checked out the Scotty and the only thing I believe may be an issue is that it does NOT have a counter on it. There is another portable called a Cannon that has a built-in counter. I'm not a downrigger/troller, so how important is it to have that counter? Would seem to be pretty important to me...but I'm just guessing. 

Thanks again... 

I like counters on everything.  Rigger, reel etc.  That way if I was catching fish 42 down and 85 feet off the ball I can get back to that instantly without counting passes or watching a screen.  I wouldn't own a rigger without a line counter but everyone's different.